Black Belt in Love (Powerhouse MA Book 3)

by Winter Travers

  Dante stood next to me and looked forward. I mimicked him because I didn’t even know where to start. This man had seen me in the throes of passion, and now that I was alone with him again, I had no idea what to say.

  The elevator stopped on the eleventh floor, and I followed him down the long hallway to room one-eleven. He slid in his room key, waited for the green light, and opened the door. “After you, honey,” he drawled.

  I squeezed by him and walked into the large room with two unmade beds and clothes all over the place. “Something tells me this isn’t just your room.”

  “Nah, Roman and Ryker helped trash the room.” Dante dropped the key card on the desk and flipped off his sandals.

  “It’s not that bad.” I leafed through a magazine they had next to the TV.

  “You come all the way to Lansing to inspect my hotel room?”

  I closed the magazine and turned to face Dante. “Um, no.”

  “Thought you and your parents would go for a drive and ended up here?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “My parents coming along was not part of my plan at all. I needed to talk to my mom before I came up here, and then before I knew it, they were making me breakfast.”

  “I can’t picture your mom making anything but a martini,” he chuckled.

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, it was pretty strange. I remember when I was really young she was like this, but that was a long freakin’ time ago.”

  Dante sat down on the edge of the bed. “I think you’re going to have to start from the beginning, honey.”

  “Can’t we just move on to the part where I tell you I was stupid and I’m sorry?”

  Dante shook his head and pointed to the bed across from him. “Sit. Talk. I don’t touch you until you talk.”

  I pouted my lips, but it didn’t affect him. I plopped down on the bed and crossed my legs. “I’m not sure where to start.”

  “Where ever you want, honey, just tell me it all.”

  I sighed and clasped my hands in my lap. “I was wrong.”

  Dante laughed. “That’s a good place to start.”

  I rolled my eyes and forged on. “Karlton made me see that I was wrong for running away from you. I knew the kind of man you were and when I found out you had money, it scared me. I’ve seen the things that money can do to people; I was afraid that you were going to turn into some monster.” I laughed and shook my head. “Now that I say it out loud, I realize how ridiculous that sounds.”

  “It’s pretty ridiculous, honey, but I understand why you would think that way.”

  “I would say people with money were all just pompous assholes who thought they knew everything. But I acted the same way. I thought I knew everything and was quick to judge. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you or your parents.”

  Dante nodded and smiled. “I know you didn’t mean to insult anyone. You were just trying to protect yourself.”

  I sighed and nodded. “This morning, I went over to my mom’s. We yelled at each other, and I found out some things about her that I never knew. It helped me to better understand her and the way she acts.”

  “She seemed rather different today, even though she called me Dennis.”

  I shook my head and smiled. “She has a rather dry sense of humor. Dad and I both had to tell her that she couldn’t cheer and call you Dennis while you were fighting. She settled with calling you red.”

  “That’s who kept yelling that? I’m normally pretty focused when I fight, but with seeing you and hearing red being yelled, I was a little off today.”

  I was going to have to put a muzzle on my mother if Dante ever fought again and she decided to come. “Yeah, that was a bit crazy watching you fight. Well, what I saw. Mom made me hide after thirty seconds so I didn’t distract you.”

  Dante laughed. “I could still see you. It was just the top of your head, but I knew it was you.”

  I covered my face. “Jesus. I’m such a tool sometimes.”

  “Not a tool, you’re just Kennedy.” Dante grabbed my hands and pulled them down. “So, now I need to hear why you’re here.”

  I took a deep breath. “Well, you know how we were doing the whole decoy with benefits thing?”

  Dante nodded and smiled. “One of your better ideas,” he admitted.

  “Well, I thought maybe we could make it a permanent position.”

  Dante pulled me to him and fell onto the bed with me on top of him. “How about we drop the whole decoy bit, and you just be mine.”

  I tapped my finger to my chin, thinking. “Well, I suppose that could work, but you’ll have to agree that you’re mine too.”

  He brushed my hair back from my face with one hand, and his other one cupped my cheek. “Honey, I’ve been yours since the night I talked you into opening the door.”

  I buried my face in his neck. “Can we not talk about that? I was such an idiot.”

  “No, honey, you were just protecting your heart.”

  I lifted my head and looked down at him. “No, I was just stupid.”

  Dante busted out laughing. “I think maybe we should talk about something else before I agree to something I don’t mean to.”

  My lips brushed against his. “Such a smart man,” I mumbled.

  Dante rolled us over, and his lips crashed down on mine. My hands roamed over his back, pulling his shirt up and feeling his bare skin under my fingers.

  “It’s been too fucking long since I felt you underneath me, honey.”

  “I missed you, Dante,” I whispered. I had even missed him when I was mad at him for lying to me.

  He pressed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. “You have no idea how worried I was thinking that you weren’t going to come back to me.”

  “My badass ninja worried?” I giggled.

  “I maybe a black belt, honey, but that doesn’t mean shit when it comes to my heart.”

  “Maybe we can work on that together.”

  “Work on what?” He trailed kisses along my jawline, and his hands grabbed the hem of my shirt, pulling it up.

  “Getting a black belt in love.”

  Dante leaned back and his gaze locked on me. “Does that involve having a lot of sex?”

  “And frozen pizza.”

  “Well hell, you and I got this whole black belt in love thing in the bag then.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me. “I bet we have at least fifteen minutes before my mom and dad start wondering where we are. How about we start working on that black belt?”

  “Does that mean we’re going to go find pizza or have sex?”

  “Sex now, pizza later?”

  Dante grunted his approval and dove into his first lesson to become a black belt in love.

  **********

  Chapter 32

  Dante

  “You need a drink, honey?”

  Kennedy shook her head and threaded her fingers through mine. “No, but I think I might want a lap dance.”

  Roman choked on his drink, and I whacked him on the back. “Jesus, man. You gonna make it?”

  Roman waved me off and slammed his glass down on the table. “Your woman just asked for a damn lap dance. I am not okay.” Roman leaned around me and looked at Kennedy. “You got a sister? Maybe a cousin or someone that’s like you?”

  Kennedy shook her head and laughed. “That would be a no. Both of my parents were only kids.”

  Roman sat back and shrugged. “It was worth a try.”

  “What happened to you and the MILF?” I asked.

  “Shot down, brother. Won’t even talk to me anymore.” Roman ran his hand through his hair. “Just gonna keep doing the single thing.”

  Roman, Kennedy, Ryker, and I had rolled back into town three hours ago, and now we, minus Ryker, were at the strip club that Hadley worked at for girls’ night out. Although we had told Molly to stop calling it that since Kellan, Roman, Tate, and I were all there too.

  After Kennedy and I ha
d finished up our little lesson on love, we had made our way back down to the tournament and had found Kennedy’s parents with Roman and Ryker. Thankfully, Roman had been on his best behavior and had been showing Vivian and Henry what a karate tournament was all about.

  It was strange to have her parents there, but I could tell Kennedy was glad to have them along and to be able to share the experience with them.

  “Why aren’t you drinking?” Molly asked Sage.

  Sage ran her finger around the rim of the glass and shrugged. “I just don’t feel like it.”

  Molly set her glass in front of Sage and shook her head. “I do not accept this. The only person who shouldn’t have a drink in front of them is Dante because he’s driving. That’s it,” Molly slurred.

  Sage pushed the glass away. “I think you’ve drunk enough for the both of us,” she laughed.

  “Kellan,” Molly elbowed Kellan who was sitting next to her. “Make Sage drink.”

  Kellan held up his hands and shook his head. “Baby, you’re the only one who I have a little margin of say so over. Sage can do whatever she wants.”

  Molly huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Drink it, Sage,” she insisted.

  What in the hell was going on? Why did Molly care so much of whether or not Sage was drinking?

  Kennedy leaned against me and rested her head against my shoulder. “I’m tired,” she mumbled.

  I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her onto my lap. “I think the night is winding down, honey. We’ll be home in a little bit.”

  She sighed and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Your place or mine?”

  “Whichever you want.”

  “Drink it now,” Molly shouted.

  Kennedy turned her head and watched Sage and Molly. “I think Molly might have had a little too much to drink,” she laughed.

  That may be, but something else was going on.

  “I’m not drinking it, Molly. Stop. Asking,” Sage grunted.

  Molly stood up and pointed down at the glass. “Do it now, or tell me the real reason why you can’t.”

  “Mol, just chill out.” Kellan tried grabbing her hand to pull her back in her seat, but she shook him off.

  “I want to know why my best friend who tells me everything won’t tell me why she’s not drinking,” Molly demanded.

  Sage glared at Molly and shook her head. “Don’t.”

  “Tell me, Sage. Tell me now.”

  “What in the world?” Kennedy whispered.

  “I’m pregnant, Molly. I am freakin’ pregnant. Are you happy now?” Sage stood up and grabbed her purse off the table. “I’m going home.” She stormed out of the club, and everyone around the table was speechless.

  “I don’t…how did…What just happened?” Hadley stuttered.

  Molly sat down and burst into tears. Kellan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap.

  “She knew,” Kennedy whispered. “Or at least she suspected.”

  “But how would she know?” I asked quietly.

  Kennedy shrugged. “I don’t know but she obviously did, or she wouldn’t have pressed her the way she did.” Kennedy snuggled into my arms and closed her eyes. “I know everyone is shocked, but if you really think about it, it’s exciting. Sage is going to have another baby.”

  “I think you’re the only one who’s excited here, honey,” I chuckled.

  “I may be, but once everything settles down, everyone else will be calm.” She smothered a yawn with the back of her hand and rested her hand on my chest. “I went from wanting a lap dance to just climbing into your lap.”

  “I’m more than okay with that, honey.”

  Kennedy closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m just gonna take a little nap. Black belt lessons are exhausting,” she mumbled. She pressed a kiss to my cheek and laid her head down.

  I brushed her hair from her face and let her be.

  Kellan was still quietly talking to Molly while Tate and Hadley had gone up to the bar for another round of drinks.

  I glanced over at Roman. “Yo,” I called. “You okay, brother?” His face was pale, and he looked like he was about to hurl.

  “Uh, I’m just gonna go get some fresh air. I think I drank too much.”

  I watched him stumble out the door, and everything clicked into place.

  Holy shit.

  **********

  Chapter 33

  Roman

  Fuck me.

  I was going to be a DILF.

  The End

  Coming Soon

  Pipe

  Fallen Lords MC Series

  Book 2

  November 29th, 2017

  Black Belt Knockout

  Powerhouse MA Series

  Book 4

  January 29th, 2018

  About the Author

  Winter Travers is a devoted wife, mother, and aunt turned author who was born and raised in Wisconsin. After a brief stint in South Carolina following her heart to chase the man who is now her hubby, they retreated back up North to the changing seasons, and to the place they now call home.

  Winter spends her days writing happily ever after’s, and her nights zipping around on her forklift at work. She also has an addiction to anything MC related, her dog Thunder, and Mexican food! (Tamales!)

  Winter loves to stay connected with her readers. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact her.

  www.facebook.com/wintertravers

  Twitter: @WinterTravers

  Instagram: @WinterTravers

  http://500145315.wix.com/wintertravers

  Dive into the First Chapter of Loving Lo!

  Loving Lo

  Devil’s Knights Series

  Book 1

  Winter Travers

  Chapter 1

  Meg

  How did just stopping quickly to get dog food and shampoo turn into an overflowing basket and a surplus pack of paper towels?

  “Put the paper towels down and back away slowly,” I mumbled to myself as I walked past a display of air fresheners and wondered if I needed any.

  “Oh dear. Oh, my. I… Ah… Oh, my.”

  I tore my thoughts away from air fresheners and looked down the aisle to an elderly woman who was leaning against the shelf, fanning herself. “Are you ok, ma‘am?”

  “Oh dear. I just… I just got a little… dizzy.” I looked at the woman and saw her hands shaking as she brushed her white hair out of her face. The woman had on denim capris and a white button down short sleeve shirt and surprisingly three-inch wedge heels.

  “Ok, well, why don’t we try to find you a place to sit down until you get your bearings?” I shifted the basket and paper towels under one arm to help her to the bench that I had seen by the shoe rack two aisles over. “Are you here with anyone?” I asked, as I guided her down the aisle.

  “Oh no. I’m here by myself. I just needed a few things.”

  “I only needed two things, and now my basket is overflowing, and I still haven’t gotten the things I came in for.”

  The woman plopped down on the bench chuckling, shaking her head. “Tell me about it. Happens to me every time too.”

  “Is there something I can do for you? Has this happened to you before?” She was looking rather pale.

  “Unfortunately, yes. I ran out of the house today without eating breakfast. I’m diabetic. I should know by now that I can’t do that.” My mom was also diabetic, so I knew exactly what the woman was talking about. Luckily, I also knew what to do to help.

  “Just sit right here, and I’ll be right back. Is there someone you want to call to give you a ride home? Driving right now probably isn’t the best idea.” I set the basket and towels on the floor, keeping my wallet in my hand.

  “I suppose I should call my son. He should be able to give me a ride,” the woman said as she dug her phone out of her purse.

  I left the woman to her phone call and headed to the candy aisle that I had been trying to ignore. I grabbed a bag of licorice, chips, and a
diet soda and went to the checkout. The dollar store didn’t offer a healthy selection, but this would do in a pinch. The woman just needed to get her blood sugars back up.

  I grabbed my things after paying and headed back to the bench. I ripped open the bag and handed it to the woman. “Oh dear, you didn’t have to buy that. I could have given you money.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I hope if this happened to my mom there would be someone to help her if I wasn’t around.”

  “Well, that’s awfully sweet of you. My names Ethel Birch by the way.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ethel. I’m Meg Grain. I also got you some chips and soda.” I popped opened the soda and handed it to Ethel.

  “Oh, thank you, honey. My son is on the way here, should be only five minutes. You can get going if you want to, you don’t need to sit with an old woman,” Ethel said as she ate a piece of candy and took a slug of soda.

  “No problem. The only plans I had today was to take a nap before work tonight. Delaying my plans by ten minutes won’t be a problem.”

  “Well, in that case, you can help me eat this licorice. It’s my favorite, but I shouldn’t eat this all by myself. Where do you work at?” Ethel asked as she offered the bag to me.

  “The factory right outside of town. I work in the warehouse, second shift.” I grabbed a piece and sat down on the floor. If I was going to wait for Ethel’s son to show up, might as well be comfortable while I waited for him.

  “Really? Never would have thought that. Figured you would have said a nurse or something like that. Seems like you would have to be tough to work in a warehouse, sounds like a man’s job.”

  I laughed. “Honestly, Ethel that is not the first time I have heard that, and it probably won't be the last. You need a certain attitude to deal with those truckers walking through the door. I have an awesome co-worker, so he helps out when truckers have a problem with a woman loading their truck.”

  “Sounds like you give them hell. My Tim was a trucker before he passed. I know exactly what you are talking about.” Ethel took another drink of her soda and set it on the bench next to her.